Conslusion Of Leaving Jairus' Home And Revisiting Nazareth

Pharisees also are present. They cannot deny the miracles, but in their wicked unbelief they repeat their charge as to the source of Jesus' powerful works, saying: "It is by the ruler of the demons that he expels the demons."

Shortly after these events, Jesus returns to his hometown of Nazareth, this time accompanied by his disciples. About a year earlier, he had visited a synagogue and taught there. Although the people at first marveled at his pleasing words, they later took offense at his teaching and tried to kill him. Now, mercifully, Jesus makes another attempt to help his former neighbors.

While in other places people flock to Jesus, here they apparently do not. SO, on the Sabbath, he goes to the synagogue to teach. Most of those hearing him are astounded. "Where did this man get this wisdom and these powerful works? They ask. "Is this not the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary, and his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? Where, then, did this man get all these things?"

'Jesus is just a local man like us,' they reason. 'We saw him grow up, and we know his family. How can he be the Messiah?" So despite all the evidence-his great wisdom and miracles-they reject him. Because of their intimate familiarity, even his own relatives stumble at him, causing Jesus to conclude: "A prophet is not unhonored except in his own home territory and among his relatives and in his own house.

Indeed, Jesus wonders at their lack of faith. So he does not perform any miracles there apart from laying his hands on a few sick people and healing them. Matthew 9:27-34; 13:54-58; Mark 6:1-6; Isaiah 9:7.

Next time: Another Preaching Tour Of Galilee

The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, 1991